Siding system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a siding system for buildings and other structures. Specifically, this invention relates to an improved siding system that prevents the collection of moisture between the vinyl siding and the wall of the building.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication No. 10/045,152, filed Jan. 15, 2002, and entitled SIDINGSYSTEM.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to exterior coverings forbuildings. Specifically, this invention relates to an improved sidingsystem that prevents the collection of moisture between the vinyl sidingand the wall of the building.

[0003] The primary purpose of applying aluminum or vinyl siding to theexterior of a building is to protect the structure from the elements.Most importantly, the exterior of the building is protected frommoisture, wind and UV. In addition, siding performs an aestheticfunction.

[0004] However, existing siding systems suffer from significantdrawbacks. Conventional siding consists of panels, which are naileddirectly to the wall of the structure thereby creating a barrier to themovement of air behind the panels. Furthermore, the panels interlockwith one another, creating a seal therebetween and effectively trappingair and moisture in a pocket behind each panel. Although prior artsiding systems do protect the structure of a building from rain,rainwater when driven by the wind is often able to penetrate behind thesiding panels at corners, around windows and doors, and at other pointswhere adjacent siding panels come together. Water may also collectbehind the siding by condensation.

[0005] Once water penetrates behind the siding or collects behind thesiding by condensation, the barriers formed between the panels and thewall, and the seals formed between adjacent panels, prevent the waterfrom escaping. Water trapped behind the siding results in damage to thestructure of the building.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,488 B1 issued to Pelfrey et al. disclosesvented siding, having recessed vents that allow moisture to escape frombehind the siding. Unfortunately, the siding of Pelfrey et al. is onlyapplicable in drier climates. In wetter climates the vented siding ofPelfrey et al. actually allows water to penetrate behind the siding,thereby damaging the building structure. This is clearly undesirable.

[0007] Another drawback of prior art siding systems is that, whenexposed to strong sunlight and high outdoor temperatures, vinyl sidingcan become so heated as to become warped and buckled. Warped vinylsiding may no longer form an effective barrier against rain and moistureand has diminished aesthetic qualities.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea siding system that prevents water from penetrating to the wall behindthe siding.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide asiding system that allows moisture behind the siding to escape.

[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide asiding system that is resistant to warping and buckling due to highambient temperatures and sunlight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention comprises a siding system for attachment toan exterior wall of a building. The siding panel of the present systemcomprises an elongated flange along the top edge of the panel. Theelongated flange comprises a spacing element perpendicular to the bodyof the panel and a wall engaging element parallel to the body of thepanel. The spacing element comprises a plurality of air holes operativeto allow air to move behind the panels. The spacing element isadditionally operative to maintain the siding panel spaced away from thewall. The siding panel additionally comprises a siding engaging flangealong the lower edge, operative to stabilize the siding panel byengaging an adjacent siding panel.

[0012] The spacing elements may form an integral part of the sidingpanels or may form separate components to which the siding panels areconnected. In the preferred embodiment described herein the spacingelements form an integral part of the siding panels.

[0013] The present siding system additionally comprises starter stripsand double J-trim elements operative to maintain the siding panelsspaced apart from the supporting wall and to allow air to enter and exitthe space between the siding panels and the supporting wall.

[0014] The starter strips and double J-trim elements of the presentsiding system allow air to move through the space between the sidingpanels and the supporting wall, thereby permitting accumulated moistureto evaporate.

[0015] In addition, the movement of air behind the panels of the presentsiding system acts to cool the panels when exposed to high temperatures.The present siding system is therefore resistant to heat-induced warpingand buckling which may take place in hot climates.

[0016] The present siding system additionally comprises J-trim, gableline trim, inside corner elements, outside corner elements and similarcomponents incorporating a raised bead or ridge on the surface directlybehind the siding panels. By channeling water that penetrates behind thesiding panels, the bead prevents the supporting wall from coming intocontact with water thereby protecting the supporting wall from waterdamage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further features and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferredembodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a panel of prior art siding;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a panel of siding of the presentinvention;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art starter strip;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a starter strip of the presentinvention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of prior art J-trim;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a J-trim element of the presentinvention for use along the gable line;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a J-trim element of the presentinvention for use, for example, along the side of windows and doors;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a prior art inside corner element;

[0026]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a inside corner element of thepresent invention;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a prior art outside cornerelement;

[0028]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an outside corner element of thepresent invention;

[0029]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a panel of prior art siding andsoffit trim;

[0030]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a double J-trim element of thepresent invention;

[0031]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a panel of siding panel and adouble J-trim element of the present invention; and

[0032]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of apanel of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art panel of vinyl siding 10 isshown mounted on the wall 12. The panel 10 is supported by nails 14which pass through nail holes 16. The panel 10 has a fold 20 and abottom flange 22. The bottom flange 22 of a first panel 10 is receivedby the fold 20 of an adjacent panel 10 so as to secure the bottom of thefirst panel 10. The body 18 of the panel 10 is in contact with the wallat points 24. The fact that the panel 10 contacts the wall 12 means thatair and moisture are trapped in pockets behind the panel 10 and aretherefore prevented from escaping.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, a panel of vinyl siding 30 of the presentinvention is shown mounted on the wall 12. The panel has a top flange 32with a first vertical portion 34, a horizontal portion 36 and a secondvertical portion 38. The first vertical portion 34 and second verticalportion 38 have nail holes 16 operative to pass nails 14 to support thepanel 30 on the wall 12. The horizontal portion 36 has a plurality ofair holes 42. The panel 30 has a fold 46 and a bottom flange 48. Thebottom flange 48 of a first panel 30 is received by the fold 46 of anadjacent panel 30 so as to secure the bottom of the first panel 30. Theseparation between the wall 12 and the body 50 of the panel 30 is thesmallest at points 44. However, in contrast to the panel 10 of FIG. 1,the body 50 of the panel 30 does not come into contact with the wall 12.This feature, in conjunction with the air holes 42, allows air to movebehind the panel 30 thereby allowing moisture trapped between the panel30 and the wall 12 to evaporate. In a preferred embodiment thehorizontal portion 36 of the top flange 32 is of a width such thatpoints 44 of the body 50 of the panel 30 are separated from the wall 12by ⅜″ to ¾″.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, in place of a single elongated topflange 32 containing air holes 42 and extending the length of the panel30, the panel 30 may incorporate a plurality of spaced-apart flanges.The spaced apart flanges would not require air holes as such. Ratherthan moving through the air holes 42, air would move between the spacedapart flanges.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment the method of thepresent invention the nails 14 that support the panels 30 of the presentsiding system are nailed into the wall 12 so that the head of the nailis lower than the point. Water condensing on or contacting nailsoriented in this way is caused to move down and away from the wall 12 bygravity. Damage to the wall 12 is thereby minimized. More specifically,it has been found that nails 12 are optimally oriented at an angle of10-15 degrees.

[0037] In an alternate embodiment of the present siding system, a priorart panel 10 may be used in combination with a spacer element. Thespacer element is similar to the top flange 32 of panel 30 in that itcomprises a first vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a secondvertical portion. The horizontal portion of the spacer elementadditionally comprises air holes to allow the passage of air. The spacerelement is nailed to the wall 12 and then the panel 10 is attached tothe spacer element by nails or otherwise. In this way the panel 10 isspaced from the wall 12 and air is permitted to move behind the panelten, in a manner similar to that of the embodiment described in FIG. 2.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 15, in a further alternate embodiment, the airholes are located on the first vertical portion 34 rather than on thehorizontal portion 36. Such air holes may be located on the firstvertical portion 34 anywhere between the fold 46 and the horizontalportion 36. In the embodiment of FIG. 15 the nail holes 16 on the secondvertical portion 38 are of a size, shape and number to permit both thepassage of nails 14 to support the panel 30 and the passage of air, suchthat moisture trapped between the wall 12 and panels 30 is allowed toevaporate. Alternatively, air holes, in addition to nail holes 16, maybe incorporated into the first vertical portion 34. In embodiments wherethe air holes are located on the first vertical portion 34, care must behad to ensure that the panels 30 are shaped so that there is sufficientspace between the body 50 of a first panel 30 and the top flange 32 ofan adjacent panel 30 to allow air to flow, as indicated by arrow 40,between the panels 30.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, a prior art starter strip 60 is shown.Starter strips 60 are secured at the bottom edge of a wall area that isto be covered by vinyl or aluminum siding. The starter strip 60 issupported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16. Thestarter strip 60 has a folded flange 64 which is operative to receivethe bottom flange 22 of a panel 10 (see FIG. 1). The folded flange 64performs a similar function to that of the fold 20 of panel 10.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, a starter strip 70 of the present sidingsystem is shown. The starter strip 70 is attached to wall 12 by nails 14which pass through nail holes 16. The folded flange 72 of the starterstrip 70 comprises a horizontal portion 74 and a folded portion 76. Thehorizontal portion 74 is perforated by air holes 78. The starter strip70 forms the bottom edge of the siding system of the present inventionand therefore the air holes 78 allow air to enter the space between thepanels 30 and the wall 12. The bottom flange 48 of a first panel 30 isreceived by the folded portion 76 so as to secure the bottom of thefirst panel 30 (see FIG. 2). In the preferred embodiment, the horizontalportion 74 of the folded flange 72 is of a width such that points 44 ofpanel 30 are ⅜″ to ¾″, from the wall 12.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, a prior art J-trim element 80 is shown. TheJ-trim 80 is used to form a border and to seal and protect the edge ofsiding panels around windows, doors, and gable lines. The J-trim 80 isconnected to the wall 12 by nails 14 that pass through nail holes 16.The J-trim 80 has a flange 82 comprising a horizontal portion 84 and avertical portion 86. The U-shaped channel 90 formed by the flange 82 andthe body 88 of the J-trim 80 is operative to receive the edge of a panel10 (see FIG. 1).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, a J-trim element 100 of the presentinvention for use along the gable line is shown. The J-trim 100 isattached to the wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16.The J-trim 100 has a flange 104 comprising a horizontal portion 106 anda vertical portion 108. The U-shaped channel 112 formed by the flange104 and the body 102 of the J-trim 100 is operative to receive the edgeof a panel 30 (see FIG. 3). The J-trim 100 is distinguished from theprior art J-trim 80 in that the horizontal portion 106 is perforated bya plurality of air holes 110. The J-trim 100 forms the bottom edge ofthe siding system along the gable line and therefore, in a mannersimilar to that of the starter strip 70 of FIG. 4, the air holes 110allow air to enter the space between the panels 30 and the wall 12.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, a J-trim element 120 of the presentinvention for use along windows, doors, etc., is shown. The J-trim 120is attached to the wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16.The J-trim 120 has a flange 122 comprising a horizontal portion 124 anda vertical portion 126. The U-shaped channel 132 formed by the body 128of the J-trim and the flange 122 is operative to receive the edge of apanel 30.

[0044] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 5, in prior art siding systems,rain water can penetrate around the edge of the panel 10 that issituated within the U-shaped channel 90. In this manner water is able toreach the wall 12 behind the panel 10, thereby damaging it.

[0045] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7, the body 128 includes abead 130, which is operative to prevent water from reaching the wall 12behind the panel 30. Water is able to penetrate around the edge of thepanel 30 that is situated within the U-shaped channel 132 in the samemanner as with the prior art J-trim 80, however, it is prevented fromreaching the wall 12 by bead 130. Water is effectively channeled betweenthe bead 130 and the horizontal portion 124 of the flange 122, and isdrained down and away by gravity.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the siding system of the presentinvention additionally contemplates a J-trim element for use, forexample, along gable lines and above and below doors and windows, whichcombines the air holes 110 of FIG. 6 and the bead 130 of FIG. 7. Such aJ-trim element would allow air to enter the space behind the sidingpanels and prevent water from penetrating behind the siding panel.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 8, a prior art inside corner element 200 isshown. The inside corner element 200 is symmetrical, comprising twoterminal flanges, each comprising an inner face 204, an intermediateface 206, and an outer face 208. Two cavities 210 are formed between theinner, intermediate and outer faces 204, 206, 208. Each of the cavities210 is operative to receive the edge of a siding panel 10 (see FIG. 1).The inside corner element 200 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 whichpass through nail holes 16.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 8, in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with respect to the prior art J-trim 80, water is ableto penetrate around the edge of panel 10 that is situated in theU-shaped channel 210, thereby contacting the wall 12 and causing damagethereto.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 9, an inside corner element 220 of the presentinvention is shown. The inside corner element 220 is symmetrical,comprising two terminal flanges 222, each comprising an inner face 224,an intermediate face 226, and an outer face 228. Two cavities 230 areformed between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 224, 226, 228.Each of the cavities 230 is operative to receive the edge of a sidingpanel 30 (see FIG. 2). The inside corner element 220 is supported onwall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16. The inside cornerelement 220 is distinguished from the inside corner element 200 of FIG.8, in that each of the outer faces 228 of terminal flanges 222 comprisesa bead 232. The bead 232 prevents water that penetrates around the edgeof panel 30 that is situated in the U-shaped channel 230 (see FIG. 2)from coming into contact with the wall 12. The water to be channeledbetween bead 232 and intermediate face 226 is drained downward bygravity.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, if used in conjunction with thepanels 30 of the present invention, inside corner element 220 must haveintermediate faces 226 wider than the intermediate faces 206 of theprior art inside corner elements 200 in order to allow the body 50 ofthe panel 30 to be spaced from the wall 12.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 10, a prior art outside corner element 240 isshown. The outside corner element 240 is symmetrical, comprising twoterminal flanges 242, each comprising an inner face 244, an intermediateface 246, and an outer face 248. Two cavities 250 are formed between theinner, intermediate and outer faces 244, 246, 248. The cavities 250 areoperative to receive the edge of a siding panel 10 (see FIG. 1). Theoutside corner element 240 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 whichpass through nail holes 16.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 5, 8 and 10, in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with respect to the prior art J-trim 80 and insidecorner element 200, water is able to penetrate around the edge of thepanel 10 (see FIG. 1) that is situated in the U-shaped channel 250,thereby contacting the wall 12 and causing damage thereto.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 11, an outside corner element 260 of thepresent invention is shown. The outside corner element 260 issymmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 262, each comprising aninner face 264, an intermediate face 266, and an outer face 268. Twocavities 270 are formed between the inner, intermediate and outer faces264, 266, 268. Each of the cavities 270 is operative to receive the edgeof a siding panel 30 (see FIG. 2). The outside corner element 260 issupported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16. Eachof the outer faces 268 of terminal flanges 262 comprises a bead 272. Thebead 272 prevents water that penetrates around the edge of panel 30 fromcoming into contact with the wall 12. The bead 272 causes the water tobe channeled downward such that it is drained away.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2, 10 and 11, if used in conjunction with thepanels 30 of the present invention, outside corner element 260 must haveintermediate faces 266 wider than the intermediate faces 246 of theprior art outside corner elements 240 in order to allow the body 50 ofthe panel 30 to be spaced from the wall 12.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 7, 9 and 11, beads 130, 232, 272 may be of anyprofile, however, a bead 130, 232, 272 of square profile, as is shown inFIG. 7, has been found to be most effective in preventing water frompenetrating to the wall 12.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, a prior art siding system is shownwhere the top of the siding meets meets the soffit. Soffit trim 280 issupported on the wall 12 by nails 14 that pass through nail holes 16.Nails 14 additionally pass through siding panel 10. Rarely is the sizeof the area to be covered with siding equal to an integer multiple ofthe size of the siding panels 10. In other words, panels 10 must oftenbe cut in order to conform them to the area being covered. For examplein FIG. 12 the siding panel 10 has been cut along its length below thefold 20 (see FIG. 1) in order to reduce its height to conform to thesize of the area being covered with siding. Soffit 282 is shown indashed lines and is supported by soffit trim 280. The soffit 282 has airholes that allow air to move to and from the attic of the building.However, as is obvious from FIG. 12, since soffit trim 280 is naileddirectly over panel 10, panel 10 comes into direct contact with the wall12, thereby trapping air between the panel 10 and the wall 12. Thereforeany moisture that penetrates behind panel 10 is unable to escape,resulting in damage to the wall 12.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 13, a novel trim element of the presentinvention, comprising a double J-trim element 290 is shown. The doubleJ-trim element 290 comprises a lower portion 292 and an upper portion294. The double J-trim element 290 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14that pass through nail holes 16 in the lower portion 292. The upperportion 294 has a plurality of air holes 296, a flange 298, and aJ-flange 300.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 14, an installed double J-trim element 290,siding panel 30, and soffit 282 are shown. The panel 30 is supportedbetween flange 298, and J-flange 300. Panel 30 may, for example, fixedbetween flange 298 and J-flange 300 by glue or sealant. Flange 298 alsoacts to maintain the panel 30 spaced away from the wall 12 so that aircan escape from behind the panel 30 through the air holes 296, thuspreventing the buildup of moisture between the wall 12 and the panel 30.Air escaping through the air holes 296 can reach the outside of thebuilding through the air holes 284 in the soffit 282.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 13 and 14, the air holes 42, 78, 110,296 may be of any shape.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 13 and 14, air is permitted to enter thespace between the wall 12 and the panels 30 through the airholes 110 inthe starter strip 100. Alternatively, air can enter the space betweenthe wall 12 and the panels 30 through air holes in the gable line J-trimas described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The air is able tomove past successive panels 30 through the air holes 42 of the panels 30and out through the air holes 296 of the double J-trim element 290,thereby allowing moisture accumulated between the panels 30 and the wall12 to evaporate.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 13 and 14, the movement of air betweenthe panels 30 and the wall 12 that is made possible by this inventionadditionally performs a cooling function when the siding system isexposed to strong sunlight and high ambient temperatures. This rendersthe siding system of the present invention resistant to heat inducedbuckling and warping.

[0062] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 15, in a further alternativeembodiment of the panel 30, the second vertical portion 38 may extendabove the horizontal portion 36 so as to form a stepped or zig zagconfiguration. In this embodiment two sets of nails 14 can be used tosecure the panel 30 to the wall 12; one set passing through the secondvertical portion 38 (above the a horizontal portion 36) and one setpassing through the first vertical portion 34 (above the a horizontalportion 36). This embodiment provides alternative means for securingpanels 30 to the wall 12, which is useful in situations where thepresent siding system will be required to endure, for example, windyconditions.

[0063] Accordingly, while this invention has been described withreference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intendedto be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of theillustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thisdescription. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims willcover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the truescope of the invention.

1. A siding panel assembly for attachment to an exterior wall of a building, comprising: a) a siding panel having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a body, said body terminating in a wall engaging elongated edge and a siding engaging elongated edge; i. said wall engaging edge terminating in an elongated flange having a spacing element and a wall engaging element, said wall engaging element parallel to said body, said spacing element operative, when said elongated flange is in place against the exterior wall, to space said body away from the exterior wall, wherein a region of said wall engaging edge between said body of said panel and said spacing element has holes operative to permit air flow over the exterior wall; and ii. said siding engaging elongated edge shaped to engage an outer surface of another underlying siding panel.
 2. The siding panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated flange defines a U-shaped channel.
 3. The siding panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated flange comprises a plurality of nail holes operative to permit the passage of nails for attaching said siding panel to said exterior wall.
 4. The siding panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said siding panel is made of vinyl.
 5. The siding panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated flange comprises a plurality of spaced apart flanges.
 6. The siding panel assembly of claim 1, wherein a right angle is formed between said spacing element and said body.
 7. The siding panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said spacing element is between ¼″ and 1″ wide.
 8. The siding panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a starter strip, said starter strip comprising a wall engaging plate having an elongated edge, said elongated edge terminating in an elongated flange having a spacer element and a distal element, said spacer element perpendicular to said wall engaging plate, and said distal element shaped to engage the siding engaging elongated edge of said siding panel, wherein said spacer element comprises a plurality of holes operative, when said starter strip is in place against the exterior wall, to permit air flow over the exterior wall, said elongated flange operative, when said starter strip is in place against the exterior wall, to space said siding panel away from the exterior wall.
 9. The siding panel assembly of claim 8, wherein said wall engaging plate of said starter strip has a plurality of nail holes, said nail holes operative to permit passage of nails for attaching said starter strip to the exterior wall.
 10. The siding system of claim 8, wherein said siding panel and said starter strip are made of vinyl.
 11. The siding panel assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a) a double J-trim element, said double J-trim element comprising: i) a wall engaging plate having a longitudinal edge; ii) a soffit supporting plate having a first face and a second face, said soffit supporting plate extending perpendicularly from said longitudinal edge of said wall engaging plate; iii) a spacing flange extending perpendicularly from said first face of said soffit supporting plate such that a first U-shaped channel is formed between said wall engaging plate, said soffit supporting plate and said spacing flange; iv) a soffit supporting flange extending from said first face of said soffit supporting plate, said soffit supporting flange shaped such that a second U-shaped channel is formed between said first face and said soffit supporting flange, said second U-shaped channel operative to receive an edge of a soffit; wherein said spacing flange and said soffit supporting flange are spaced apart such that a third U-shaped channel is formed between said spacing flange, said first face and said soffit supporting flange, said third U-shaped channel operative, when said double J-trim element is in place against the exterior wall, to receive an edge of said siding panel; wherein said spacing flange is operative to space said siding panel away from the exterior wall; wherein a region of said soffit supporting plate between said wall engaging plate and said spacing flange comprises holes, operative to permit air flow over said exterior wall. 